Iraq-bound supply ships meet resistance

Young protesters in Olympia, Wash., held actions for over a week in solidarity with the people of Iraq, who are resisting the occupation of their country by U.S. troops.

The activists tried to stop convoys of Navy ships carrying death-dealing Stryker combat vehicles and leaving from the Port of Olympia. The Strykers from Ft. Lewis were being loaded onto a ship for deployment with the 3rd Stryker Brigade.

Some 37 people were arrested at the pro tests, which ran from May 22 to June 1.

For two years, community activists in Olympia had been appealing to the local port commission and City Council and holding marches to stop the military shipments. On May 22, Brendan Dunn was arrested when he stood in front of a Stryker convoy. The next day, May 23, anti-police brutality activist Drew Hen dricks from Olympia Cop Watch was arrested. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Department said he attempted to lock the gates to the port, which is public property, with a bike lock.

Also on May 23, nine more people were arrested for blocking a Stryker convoy for half an hour. Protesters in front of the port entrance also formed a second blockade, which was attacked by the cops. The Port Militarization Resistance Group said in a statement that “The weapons shipment, and the use of our public property to prolong and supply the war in Iraq, have made us complicit in crimes against humanity. We refuse to be complicit any longer.”

Protests at the port entrance and vigils were then held daily throughout the week.

On May 29, the USNS Pomeroy arrived at the port. When protesters simply shook the gate at the port entrance, the cops pepper-sprayed the crowd.

On May 30, demonstrators were at the port in larger numbers. Activists tore down the gate at the port entrance. When the cops formed a blockade, some protesters lay down inside the port entrance with a large group behind them. A convoy calling themselves “Strykers for Peace” arrived, stating they wanted to take the Stryker vehicles back to Ft. Lewis. The cops refused their appeal.

Nineteen arrests were made on May 30. The cops used pepper spray, pepper spray pellets and rubber bullets against the crowd. But the demonstrators wouldn’t be dispersed. Later in the day, a march was held through the streets of town, less than a mile from the State Capitol.

Resistance has built up and the military could face more serious challenges to its shipments from Olympia or elsewhere. The government can’t continue to fund an illegal, genocidal war while running away from its responsibility to fund health care, education and all quality of life programs.